Cook’s Illustrated did a test a couple of years ago and found that the dishwasher left the sponges teeming with bacteria, but the microwave sterilized them. If that’s the sort of thing you care about. I have to admit that I don’t actually wash sponges at all, just throw them away when they get ugly.

Who are we to argue with the venerable Mr. Kimball? (I’m a Cook’s Illustrated reader with a soft spot for the editor.) I say sterilize ‘em in the microwave, then throw ‘em in the dishwasher to get ‘em clean.